Accidents And Injuries At Sporting Events And Venues

More than any other state, California is home to 18 professional sports teams. San Diego is home to the Padres and has other high-level professional teams, including soccer, lacrosse, rugby, tennis, and indoor football. College, high school, and other academic-level sporting events take place weekly. Golf, tennis, horse racing, and even drag racing and NASCAR racing are favorite sports on any given weekend. But you don't expect to get a sporting event injury when you attend a game.

How Much Does a Venue Injury Lawyer Cost?

Most premise liability lawyers work on a contingency basis. A contingency fee structure means the venue injury lawyer will not charge you anything unless you win a settlement in or out of court. This ensures the lawyers work hard for your case and that you don't have even more out-of-pocket expenses.

What is Premises Liability?

Whenever you visit a public or private property in California, the owners and occupiers are required to keep the place safe. Those negligent in their duty of care may be held responsible for accidents that lead to an injury.

Premises liability requires the venue owners to be responsible for keeping the place reasonably safe for everyone who visits. This includes people attending the event, vendors, players, employees, and anyone with a reason to be at the venue. The duty of care means that:

1. The owners and operators of the stadium have a duty to regularly check for dangerous conditions and other defects.
2. They must perform maintenance and repairs before any event and anyone stepping onto the property. This can include safety devices such as nets to prevent flyballs from striking someone in the stands at a baseball game.
3. They must warn visitors of safety hazards that have not yet been repaired. For example, signs and safety cones warn visitors about wet floors, cracked cement that could cause an accident, or hazards that have not yet been repaired.

If the venue owners fail to follow correct safety standards that result in you or someone you know suffers an injury you could have a case for a premises liability claim.

Types Of Accidents At Sporting Venues

Injuries happen at sporting venues and events from:

• Inadequate or nonexistent security that fails to use crowd control or intervene where needed
• Aroused fans who are disorderly, aggressive, or even violent
• Injuries and fights in the parking lot
• Alcohol consumption increases the prospect of violence
• Slips or trips and falls
• Inadequate lighting
• Broken stairs, or missing handrails
• Food poisoning from a vendor not following the correct health and safety procedures
• Flying objects—balls, bats, rackets, pucks, helmets, cans, bottles, etc. (A baseball can fly as fast as 120 mph)
• Players who collide with audience members, particularly at basketball games

What About the Venue Disclaimer?

Frequently, a disclaimer is included when you buy a ticket to a sporting event. It states that when you purchase your ticket, you assume the risks of any injuries that result from the game.

Despite the disclaimer, the owner must take reasonable measures to protect everyone from these hazards. Guardrails, netting, and other safety equipment are part of that duty of care. If the responsible party fails to take steps to ensure patrons' safety, they may become liable if someone is injured.

Who Else Might Be Responsible for a Sporting Even Injury?

Even if the owner or operator is not liable for your injuries, there may be other parties involved, such as:

• A negligent staff member at the stadium
• Hired security personnel from an outside vendor
• A product manufacturer
• Another attendee
• A driver in the arena parking lot

An injury at a sporting venue could involve more than one liable party and may or may not include the owner.

Recovering Compensation for Your Injury 

Injuries during a sporting event can leave you with serious injuries that may take weeks or months from which to recover. You may be out of work while you heal from your injuries. You may be wondering if you have a claim against the facility. When you have sought medical care and have a treatment plan, you should contact one of our San Diego sporting venue accident personal injury attorneys.

Injuries can be:

• broken bones
• lacerations
• soft tissue injuries
• spinal and neck injuries
• and even traumatic brain injuries

You will also have difficulty paying for your care if you're out of work. That's where your injury attorney can help you recover compensation, such as:

• Lost wages
• Lost future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional Distress
• Other accident-related expenses.

Working with a premises liability attorney will ensure you receive the maximum settlement for your injuries. Every case is different, and the results will not be the same for everyone. Our injury attorneys are experienced in premises liability and will work with you to ensure your claim is filed correctly, and your lawsuit is filed promptly.